[DreamSword]

Episode 7: Afterglow of Regret



We open with a flashback, showing the circumstances behind Ichiro's' death. And man is it gruesome. This in turn leads into how Kohmyoji met Gill, and the fateful meeting that would eventually lead to the events of the present day.

Said opening also immediately gave me the moment I wanted to GIF.

https://i.imgur.com/QiXjOMO.gifv

Seriously. That's an absolutely great looking scene ontop of being a brilliant way to transition into the opening credits.

This is the actionized continuation of the events from episode 6. As Jiro works his way inside the mansion where Mitsuko is being held captive, Bat and Mitsuko continue their talk from earlier. With the unfolding events clearly having an effect on the villain of the week.



I'd also like to say that, man, Golden Bat is probably the most practical one of the robots Jiro has fought so far. Holding out in a booby-trapped base in order to wear your prey down and only stepping in if you need to for the killing blow? Very nice. Er, not nice. You get what I mean.



We also see that Jiro isn't totally over his shame of his own body yet, as he refuses to transform upon learning that Mitsuko is watching. It's here that something else is added to all of the compelling themes that previous episode touched upon: Not being ashamed of who you are or how you look. But in a nice touch of realism, despite Mitsuko's' kind words, Jiro doesn't just suddenly get over it.



We also get to see a new and cool use for his guitar! I hope you all keep this scene in mind for the day you end up being attacked by crazy cyborg bats. It could save your life!

Like with the previous episode, I really love how each character plays off one another here. Mitsuko and Bat really do take center stage once again. Yeah, the action sequence in itself is cool and all, but the real meat comes from these two. Bat proclaiming how much it hurts to be someone who fits in with no one and is shunned by everyone, and Mitsuko proclaiming that no one is alone in those feelings, and that Jiro is someone to be admired because he continues on despite that suffering? I absolutely love it.

This is another episode where I dare not spoil every little detail talked about or how it all ends. As what can be seen as the anime's' only direct two-parter? It leaves one hell of an impact. Not just on the characters and story, but on me as a viewer as well.